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Tabulation of Data

Tabulation refers to systematically arranging data in rows and columns in a table. This simplifies complex information and facilitates comparisons. The main purposes of tabulation are to simplify data presentation, allow relationships between parts to be understood, and make data brief and easy to analyze. An effective table includes a number, clear title, column and row headings, footnotes, source information, and subtotals. Graphs present data visually through diagrams and can show changes over time more powerfully than tables. They facilitate interpretation, comparison, prediction and information transmission. However, graphs require training to interpret and can mislead viewers.

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Salman Ansari
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277 views

Tabulation of Data

Tabulation refers to systematically arranging data in rows and columns in a table. This simplifies complex information and facilitates comparisons. The main purposes of tabulation are to simplify data presentation, allow relationships between parts to be understood, and make data brief and easy to analyze. An effective table includes a number, clear title, column and row headings, footnotes, source information, and subtotals. Graphs present data visually through diagrams and can show changes over time more powerfully than tables. They facilitate interpretation, comparison, prediction and information transmission. However, graphs require training to interpret and can mislead viewers.

Uploaded by

Salman Ansari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tabulation of data

Definition
Tabulation refers to the systematic arrangement of the information in rows and columns. Rows are the
horizontal arrangement. In simple words, tabulation is a layout of figures in rectangular form with appropriate
headings to explain different rows and columns. The main purpose of the table is to simplify the presentation
and to facilitate comparisons.
According to Neiswanger, "A statistical table is a systematic organization of data in columns and rows."
According to Connor, "Tabulation involves the orderly and systematic presentation of numerical data in a
form designed to elucidate the problem under consideration."
From the above cited definitions, it is clear that tabulation refers to the systematic arrangement of data in rows
and columns. The arrangement of data obtained after this process is called a table.
Importance of Tabulation
Tabulation is a technique to present and interpret the complex information in a simple and systematic form.
The main objectives of the process of tabulation are as follows:

The main purpose of the tabulation is to simplify the complex information so that it can be easily
understood.
Under tabulation, data is divided into various parts and for each part there are totals and sub totals.
Therefore, relationship between different parts can be easily known.

Since data are arranged in a table with a title and a number so, these can be easily identified and used
for the required purpose.

Tabulation makes the data brief. Therefore, it can be easily presented in the form of graphs.

Tabulation makes complex data simple and as a result of this, it becomes easy to understand the data.

This form of the presentation of data is helpful in finding mistakes.

Tabulation makes it easy to analyze the data from tables.

Tabulation is a device to summaries the large scattered data. So, the maximum information may be
collected from these tables.

Parts of a Table or Preparation of a Table


Preparation of a table is an art which needs an expert handling of data. Following general principles may be
followed for the purpose of preparing a perfect table:
Table Number: When a table or a book contains more than one table, each table must have a number. The
tables are numbered in a sequence so that they may be easily referred to. The number of the table should be
placed at the middle on the top of the table.

Title: Every table must have a suitable heading. The heading should be short, clear and convey the purpose of
the table. It should contain four types of information:

The subject matter


Time

Basis of classification

Sources.

Besides, the main heading, there may be some sub-heading also.


The title should be so worded that it permits one and only one interpretation. Its letters should be the most
prominent of any lettering on the table.
Long titles cannot be read as promptly as short titles, but they may have to be used for the sake of clarity
when necessary. In such a situation a "catch title" may be given above the main title.
Captions and stub: Captions refer to the vertical column's headings, whereas stubs refer to the horizontal
row's headings. Captions generally give the basis of classification e.g. Gender, occupation, meters, kms, etc. It
may consists of one or more column headings. Under a column heading, there may be sub-heads. The captions
should be clearly defined and placed at the middle of the column. It is desirable to number each column and
row for reference and to facilitate comparisons.
Head notes: Head Note is a statement given below the title which clarifies the contents of the table. It gives
an explanation concerning the entire table or main parts of it, e.g., the units of measurement are usually
expressed in a head note such as 'in hectares', 'in millions', 'in quintals' etc.
Body: The body of the table contains the figures that are to be presented to the readers. The table must contain
sub totals of each separate class of data and grand total for the combined classes.
Source: The source is given in case of secondary data. It gives the sources from which the data were obtained.
The source should give the name of the book, page number, table number etc. from which the data have been
collected.
Limitations of Tabulation
Tabulation suffers from the following limitations:

Tables contain only numerical data. They do not contain descriptions.


Qualitative expression is not possible through tables.

Tables can be used by experts only to draw conclusions. Common men do not understand them
properly.

Graphical representation of data


A graph refers to the plotting of different valves of the variables on a graph paper which gives the movement
or a change in the variable over a period of time. Diagrams can present the data in an attractive style but still
there is a method more reliable than this. Diagrams are often used for publicity purposes but are not of much
use in statistical analysis. Hence graphic presentation is more effective and result oriented.
Diagrams can present the data in an attractive style but still there is a method more reliable than this.
Diagrams are often used for publicity purposes but are not of much use in statistical analysis. Hence graphic
presentation is more effective and meaningful.
According to A. L. Boddington, "The wandering of a line is more powerful in its effect on the mind than a
tabulated statement; it shows what is happening and what is likely to take place, just as quickly as the eye is
capable of working."
Advantages of Graphs
The presentation of statistics in the form of graphs facilitates many processes in economics. the main uses of
graphs are as under:

Attractive and Effective presentation of Data: The statistics can be presented in attractive and
effective way by graphs. A fact that an ordinary man can not understand easily, could understand in a
better way by graphs.

Useful in Comparison: Graphs also help to compare the statistics. If investment made in two different
ventures is presented through graphs, then it becomes easy to understand the difference between the
two.

Useful for Interpretation: Graphs also help to interpret the conclusion. It saves time as well as labor.

Remembrance for long period: Graphs help to remember the facts for a long time and they cannot be
forgotten.

Helpful in Predictions: Through graphs, tendencies that could occur in near future can be predicted in
a better way.

Universal utility: In modern era, graphs can be used in all spheres such as trade, economics,
government departments, advertisement, etc.

Information as well as Entertainment: Graphs help us in entertainment as well as for providing


information. By graphs there occurs no hindrance in the deep analysis of every information.

Helpful in Transmission of Information: Graphs help in the process of transmission as well as


information of facts.

No Need for training: when facts are presented through graphs there is any need for special training
for these interpretations.

Rules for the construction of Graph


The following are the main rules to construct a graph:

Every graph must have a suitable title which should clearly convey the main idea, the graph intends to
portray.

The graph must suit to the size of the paper.

The scale of the graph should be in even numbers or in multiples.

Footnotes should be given at the bottom to illustrate the main points about the graph.

In order to show many items in a graph, index for identification should be given.

Every graph should be given with a table to ensure whether the data has been presented accurately or
not.

The test of a good graph depends on the case with which the observer can interpret it. Thus economy
in cost and energy should be exercised in drawing the graph.

Limitations of graphs

Limited Application: Graphic representation is useful for a common man but for an expert, its utility
is limited.
Lack of Accuracy: Graphs do not measure the magnitude of the data. They only depict the
fluctuations in them.
Subjective: Graphs are subjective in character. Their interpretation varies from person to person.
Misleading Conclusions: The person who has no knowledge can draw misleading conclusions from
graphs.
Simplicity: Graph should be as simple as possible.
Index: In order to show many items in a graph, index for identification should be given.

How to choose a scale for a graph?


The scale indicates the unit of a variable that a fixed length of axis would represent. Scale may be different for
both the axes. It should be taken in such a way so as to accommodate whole of the data on a given graph
paper in a lucid and attractive style. Sometimes data to be presented does not have low values but with large
terms. We have to use the graph so as it may present the given data for comparison even.
Types of Graphs

Time series Graphs or Histograms.

Frequency Distribution Graphs.

Time series graphs may be of one variable, two variables or more variables graph. Frequency distribution
graphs present (a) histograms (b) Frequency Polygons (c) Frequency Curves (d) Ogives (e) scatter diagram
(f)stem and leaf (g) pareto (h) box-plot graph , etc

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